Olive Garden Complaint - Very poor service

LANSING, ILLINOIS -- Today was the third and last time I will visit an Olive Garden. We were seated right away but that's where it ended, it was like we were invisible and the place was not even busy. We waited and waited for our server but no one even brought us water. I would understand if they were busy but that was not the case. We finally got up and left, the manager did try to stop us but he should have been watching the lack of service to the patrons. Stay away from South Suburban Chicago area Olive gardens.

Yep, this is the reason I stopped going to Olive Garden. I was seated and completely forgotten about. 10 minutes later, a server delivered food to a table a few away, and said to me from 15 feet "I'll be with you in a minute," and turned to go back the kitchen. That was the final straw (she should have asked if she could get me a drink at minimim) and I got up and left.

Maybe if more people didn't put up with this garbage, they would get the message.

Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-07:

I have always had good service at OG I like how you get free bread sticks and salad with your order some places are better than others I guess.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2011-05-07:

I'm with Wally, it must be a "local" thing.

Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-07:

I've never eaten at an Olive Garden. A location finally opened up in our town this past year. I suppose I'll have to give it a try one of these days and let you all know the results.

Posted by leet60 on 2011-05-07:

I agree with Wally and JKTSHFF1. It must be the local establishment. I have had good service at Olive garden. When you do experienc poor service, keep in mind, the server makes most their income through tips. If the restaurant seems to have few servers, it is not the server's fault. If there are many and you don't get good service, let it reflect in the tip left.

Posted by T on 2011-05-07:

Getting free bread sticks and salad isn't going to help if your server is AWOL.

I can't stand the bread sticks at OG, but I know some people here and elsewhere do. To me, they are totally saturated with oil, and too salty. The salad can be good, but often mine was saturated with dressing. It isn't supposed to be.

Posted by danny54 on 2011-05-09:

We've also had good luck with our local OG. The one time we didn't, I sent a note to the manager. He reponsded quickly and even included a gift card for our future use. This was totally unexpected and above and beyond. On the next visit, the service was so outstanding, I made sure to send another note to the manager letting him know this as well.